If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, your focus should be on upgrading to an energy-efficient unit. A few years ago homeowners were happy to purchase the biggest A/C they could afford from a manufacturer they trusted, but that’s no longer enough. These days much more goes into upgrading your A/C.

Here are some of the features and benefits of high-efficiency air conditioning:

Lower lifetime costs – Rather than looking at the price tag and basing your decision on that amount, you should ask about the lifetime costs of the equipment. Upgrading your A/C to a high-efficiency model will cost you more initially, but you’ll end up saving significant amounts on your utility bills every month.

Longer-lasting equipment – You should eliminate any products that are not Energy Star-approved from your consideration. Not only do these products meet certain efficiency standards, they also meet quality standards that ensure they are well-made and will provide reliable service as long as they’re installed and maintained properly.

More comfortable air – High-efficiency air conditioners offer features such as advanced sensors, a fan-only mode for air circulation when the compressor’s not operating, and a variable-speed blower motor. This latter feature allows the A/C to operate at lower speeds most of the time, which saves energy and does a better job of humidity control. When you can control the humidity in your home, you and your family will be more comfortable.

Healthier air – High-efficiency air conditioning, if coupled with an efficient air filter and proper duct design and maintenance, will provide cleaner indoor air. This is partly because with a variable-speed blower, the equipment is operating more continuously, allowing air to recirculate much more often than if the A/C were cycling on and off all the time.

If you’d like to know more about the benefits of new high-efficiency air conditioners, contact Ernst Heating & Cooling. With more than 60 years of service to the Metro-East area, we have the expertise to help you get the most from your investment.